Johan Jepson

9.1

Not a blend, 100% chardonnay. @Delectablewine — 5 years ago

Connor Smith

9.4

There are a lot of California wineries out there that are valuable to the man at the top mostly as a way to impress their friends. There are not many that are primarily a way to satisfy the founder’s hopeless geekery for wine, soil, weather, and getting his hands dirty. 🍇🌞💨⛏

Kevin Harvey made his money in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur and investor. But his journey to winemaking didn’t begin with a business transaction, but by planting vines in his backyard and vinifying it himself in his garage. He had the itch: he had to get real with it.

Harvey has spent most of the past 20 years developing brand new vineyard sites - often targeting old Christmas tree farms! He is deeply involved with research, planning, getting soil and grape analytics, setting up weather stations, and viticulture - though, with the fruits of his labor (pun intended) being of such remarkable potential, it is perhaps wise to turn the cellar work over to veteran winemaker Jeff Brinkman to realize it.

The result of Harvey’s outstanding grape material and Brinkman’s capable hands in undeniable. In a world full of California winemakers trying to take their shot at Burgundy, Rhys has accomplished what so often gets lost in the pursuit of style: an honest and clear communication from the vines. That’s the true Burgundian spirit.

Harvey has said their goal is to get you “staring into a glass of vineyard”. This Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir, facing west toward the Pacific taking in a daily blanket of foggy marine layer, can only come from one place. In what seems like the blink of an eye, Rhys has become one of the most celebrated wines in America, with good reason. 🇺🇸🍷 — 6 years ago

Catherine Toner

9.3

Kevin and Carolyn’s - Delicious red fruit — 7 years ago

Lindsay Murray

9.4

New Year’s Eve Dinner with Kevin & Sarah — 7 years ago

with Chad

Anthony Lombardi

9.3

I really enjoyed the Southern Rhone style blend from this producer’s 2015 vintage. That said, I’m enjoying the Syrah even more. This shows amazing texture & nuance to add complexity to the dark fruit. The nose in particular shows savory, almost olive brine character to match the summer blackberries. Beautiful wine- a producer well worth checking out! — 8 years ago

Gail Cribbs

9.0

With Michelle and chris Olson — 8 years ago

Robert Mackie

9.9

Outstanding Chardonnay but a bit pricey! — 9 years ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.1

Such a lovely wine for the value. Nice mix of bright and dark fruit on this one. The nose deceived me a little bit, somewhat perfume-y with notes of bark and blackberries I think. Really good with pulled pork on our baked potatoes tonight. — 5 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.1

The “Cotes du Rhône”- style blend from @kevinwhitewinery . 57% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre. The wine is lush and aromatic and this producer seems to make a conscious effort to keep the retail cost low. That sentiment follows this band and album perfectly. Total brilliance all around here. — 6 years ago

Kyle Harvey

9.0

Leathery ripe red fruits with some nervy pepper notes. Good effort! — 6 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

90° at 7pm calls for more Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
.
Cloudy Bay was founded in 1985 by David Hohnen of Margaret River’s Cape Mentelle along with its first winemaker, Kevin Judd, who would go on to spend 25 years there before creating his own label, Greywacke. Judd is widely considered as the pioneer responsible for elevating New Zealand wine to its current status. Judd also happens to be one of the best wine photographers in the world (I highly recommend his ‘The Landscape of New Zealand Wine’).
.
According to Master of Wine Bob Campbell “the genesis for Greywacke Wild Sauvignon was Cloudy Bay Te Koko; a funky, barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc that bent all the rules when it was made in 1992 and initially sold only through the cellar door. Greywacke Wild Sauvignon is a blend from 10 different Marlborough vineyards which are machine-harvested at night. After pressing the juice is settled before being pumped into mostly old barrels and fermented using indigenous yeasts (about 15-20 different strains). The wine undergoes a partial malolactic fermentation and lees stirring.”
.
Incredible aromatics... an almost vibrant herbaceousness... red bell pepper, grapefruit zest, tangerine, apricot, and cucumber, with a silky smooth mouthfeel unlike most Sauvignon Blancs. Extraordinary. — 7 years ago

Rob Mayes

9.0

Lots of ocean air minerality and oyster shell. Sweet spice. Bit sweeter than I would like but nice componentry. — 8 years ago

Paul Mabray

Founder VinTank

8.9

Kevin Judd can make wine. Chardonnay with hints of smoke and flint. Great expression of Marlborough Chardonnay. — 9 years ago

with Angelica

Ryan Anderson

9.1

Nothing complex. Just delicious WA state merlot and cab. It is well made. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Aged in 20 months in barrel. All used oak. Large & small barrels.

The nose reveals; a touch of funk, sour notes on the fruit, blackberries, blue & purple fruits, black raspberries, black licorice, whiff of herbaceous notes, some white & black pepper, dark rich soils, black cherry cola, crush rocks, soft wood notes with; violets, lavender, red & purple flowers.

The body is medium with firm, tarry, chewy tannins. The fruits are bright and juicy and falls into dusty dark earthiness. Sour notes on the fruit, blackberries, blue & purple fruits, black raspberries, black licorice, whiff of herbaceous notes, some white & black pepper, dark rich soils, sandstone, black cherry cola, crush rocks, dry stones, soft wood notes with; violets, lavender, red & purple flowers. The acidity is high and waterfallish. The finish is leaner, nicely balanced & ripe.

Photos of; the entrance to Waterford, tasting patio, Waterford grounds and large tasting table.
— 6 years ago

Dewet Bisschoff

8.9

Wxcellent and interesting blend. Quality as always from Kevin Grant. — 7 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.2

Another winner from Greywacke, Kevin Judd sources his Pinot Noir from the more clay-dominant Southern Valleys. The wine finds a more exotic profile for Pinot - macerated blood orange peel and pomegranate meet a dizzying array of spices and herbs - curry, saffron, smoke, spearmint, and thyme. Savory, well structured, and long. — 7 years ago

Blake Motley

9.4

Outstanding!! Thanks for the great bottle, Kevin! — 8 years ago

with Kevin and Shannon

ADAM STROMFELD

9.5

Soft and still full of life. Elegant stewed prunes well balanced dances on your tongue. Amazing this is 47 years old!!! Happy birthday Kevin!! — 8 years ago

with Kevin

Neal Schaffer

9.1

Oaky and perfectly well balanced tannins. Very surprising strong, long-lasting finish. The color is a DARK plum purple. It reminds me of a matured merlot. Very surprising Syrah. Vanilla and bright tobacco dominant this wine! Cheers! — 9 years ago

with Dana